Newcastle Art Gallery expansion plans put on hold - Art Collector

Newcastle Art Gallery exterior.

10 April 2013 | The redevelopment of Newcastle Art Gallery has been put on hold indefinitely after a rescission motion from Newcastle lord mayor Jeff McCloy was passed last night with seven votes to six.

The lord mayor argued that Newcastle Council needed to return to surplus before continuing with the $21 million gallery expansion. The decision means the federal government's $7 million grant toward the project is in jeopardy. The state government did not commit any funds.

The redevelopment would have been the first major capital expenditure on the gallery since the current building opened in 1977. The gallery holds one of the most substantial public art collections outside of the major capital cities.